We're looking for some help and advice. Last week we got our first dog a 8 week Chocolate Labrador. Neither myself and my husband have had dogs before and obviously we want to give the dog the best start. At the moment she is sleeping in the Breakfast room which we have cleared out and sectioned off with a Baby gate. At the moment were getting up in the night when we hear her bark to let her out (where she now goes to the loo at command). Is this the right thing to do? or are we encouraging her to carry on going out in the middle of the night? As she get's older will she naturally reduce the times we have to get up until we can leave her all night or will we have conditioned her to go once some time twice a night? Also after letting her out in the night we bring her in and settle her down but then she starts constantly barking when we go back upto bed. The thing is when we enter the room she stops so we can't really order her to be quiet as she already is! How can we stop her barking? Some people have suggested a crate, is this the way to go and to what advantages? We've ordered the Dog Whisperer from Amazon, just waiting for it to arrive. We'd both be grateful for any advice anyone could give.

Hi there

She's only a baby - try not to try to hard :)

She sounds like she is doing really well at night, its really like having a new baby in the house, you have to expect some sleepless nights until her bladder becomes big and strong enough to help her go through the night. She is also learning that by barking she is getting your attention, so you may have to restrict how many times you answer her calling you during the day (by not returning when she's barking - only when she's quiet).

She will learn to settle and go through the night, but expect some very early mornings!

I would recommend getting her a big crate - as big as possible, but let her sleep in it with the door open. The plan is to allow her to realise this is her space :)

HTH
Chloe

I always got up to my boys in the night - by 11 - 12 weeks they were both clean and dry though the night. IMHO not letting them out adds to confusion over house training. Don't make a fuss at night though - just let her out calm prasie if she "goes" and then straight back in and back to bed. Don't let her mess you about as she will learn that this is a way of getting your attention at night.

I use crates for my boys and they love them. They are their places and although they get put in on the odd occasion as a punishment - it's not the only punishment or the only time they go in. They know when they're in coz it's for their own good:D it's a crate or a kick up the bum:D (joking )or if they just want to go for a sleep or hide a chew or something they shouldn't have:rolleyes:

It sounds like you have a good girl - enjoy

hth
Pam n theboys

HI Pam,

Thanks for the advice a crate it is. It's nice to have some reassurance and guidance.

Georgina.

Hi, When you get up during the night are you speaking to your dog when you go into the room, if you are dont, ignore her and just lift her outside, "say do a pee", if she does, "good girl", put her back into her bed and don't say a word to her, just ignore her and go back to bed. If you make a fuss of her the pup will then want to play for the rest of the night. Same applies when you go out and leave her say 15 mins at a time during the day, dont say anything when you are ready to leave the house, ignore,same when you come back in, dont speak to her, lift her outside, It does work, but will maybe take a couple of days.